MJA: Channel 13’s broadcast shutdown order suggests deliberate influence attempt

Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) states Broadcasting Commission of Maldives (BroadCom)’s order for Channel 13 to cease its broadcast coinciding with the People’s National Front (PNF)’s rally suggests a deliberate attempt to stop the live broadcast of an opposition political rally that was extremely critical of the government.

BroadCom ordered Channel 13 to cease broadcasting for a specified period on a Thursday evening.

MJA, via statement on Friday, expressed concern over the order, identifying several critical issues surrounding the decision.

In this regard, MJA underscored that the suspension order, issued on August 11^th, came as a result of an investigation that started in January and was applied for a time slot that Channel 13 had already announced reserved for the live coverage of PNF’s rally in Male’.

As such, MJA stressed that the timeline suggests that the Commission’s decision was unlikely to be a coincidence and appears to have been a calculated move to block the live broadcast of an opposition rally that heavily criticized the government.

MJA said it questioned BroadCom regarding the matter, which claimed to be unaware of the scheduled political broadcast.

However, MJA said it was unacceptable given that the event was public announced and promoted.

MJA added that it casts significant doubt on the Commission's impartiality and its capacity to fulfill its mandate, suggesting the decision may have been politically motivated to block the broadcast.

Citing BroadCom, MJA underscored that this was the first time in recent history that such a suspension had been ordered.

The Association said the position of such a severe and unprecedented penalty on the channel—timed exactly as it was preparing to broadcast a major political event—constitutes an act of media intimidation and a clear obstruction of the public’s right to access information.

Moreover, MJA noted that the order was issued based on a case that Broadcom decided to investigate on its own initiative without a formal complaint.

The Association expressed its belief that media regulatory bodies should operate on the basis of formal complaints from the public and not by initiating investigations on their own accord (suo moto).

“MJA firmly believes that media regulatory bodies should operate on the basis of formal complaints from the public and not by initiating investigations on their own accord (suo moto), as such powers can be misused to exert undue influence and is arbitrary by nature,” the statement read.

MJA strongly condemn BroadCom’s action and criticized the profound lack of transparency in its investigative process.

“We call on Broadcom to ensure all media complaints are handled through open hearings that guarantee fairness and impartiality and to stop arbitrarily targeting media outlets by initiating investigations on its own accord,” it added.

The Association described BroadCom’s series of actions as a stark example of the obstacles that will confront press freedom if the principles of self-regulation are discarded and the media is over-regulated by government-influenced bodies.

It added that if the Media Bill currently in the Parliament is passed, it will will foster a dangerous culture of censorship, empowering authorities to shut down media outlets and control content.

Therefore, MJA reiterated its call to withdraw the bill.

Although Channel 13 was ordered to halt its broadcast last night, the channel broadcasted the PNF rally live during the timeframe. The channel also broadcasted preparations for the rally.

Channel 13 is recognized for its political content and its promotion of Yameen's ideology. The channel has faced previous bans and fines from BroadCom during the preceding MDP administration.